A Snippet of Life

We've all had that moment when the list of everything that we have to complete that day is buzzing around our head, but it's OK because it's only...MIDDAY? How did that happen? Then, we look into the palm of our hand and see our fingers scrolling through post after post on Facebook. Most of which we've already seen or read but we may as well waste more time and read it again, right? This activity is definitely more common in younger people, but I am certainly not accepting that this only happens to people born after 1994. Yes, the social media bug has sifted its way through generations and even my Grandad 'loves' posts on Facebook and knows about my graduation before I've rang him to have the old fashioned conversation. I'm not saying that my Grandad and others in their seventies and eighties reach for their phone to see updates first thing and that it's the last thing they see before going to sleep at night, but it is contagious and it's defin...

I love the festive season and everything that comes with it. Joyful faces, hilarious panics to get everything you need when in reality the only thing you cannot forget is the turkey, the parties, the food...even the music doesn't get on my nerves too much. Then, each year when it's all over, that one day, I think to myself - really? I was wandering around Waitrose the day after Boxing Day and laughed at how quiet and empty it was compared to Christmas Eve. The shelves full of reductions because they've obviously panic-ordered too. The calmness that filled the shop and how much time has passed - two days? I just wanted a pan au chocolat and some wine and was in and out in a flash, stress free. The total opposite scenario to Christmas Eve. It's laughable how much hype is involved for just one day. All the preparations and anxieties to be over in 24 hours. Not even 24 hours, more like 12 at a push because everyone is in a food coma by 7pm, let's be honest. We all p...

A friend of mine and I have recently started writing down five positive things at the end of each day. They can be anything from "an extra half hour in bed" to "a really good chat with so and so" or "a beautiful walk" and the noticeable effects upon my personal mindset (already) have been amazing. I'm no depressive and I know I have a good life. I love and appreciate all of my friends and family so much and often look outside of my bedroom window thinking what a lovely view I have of the smallest part of this huge world (which has been a positive on more than one day so far). So I do feel that I am, and often I get told I am, a happy person. However, as much as you try to focus on the positives in life, there are always times when you fall into the trap of a stressful day when nothing seems to be going your way and instantly everything is, quite frankly, shit. Sometimes that smile I plaster over my face is an inward cry for help because in realit...

More than once have I been asked the question 'would you rather be deaf or blind,' and I always, always answer - blind. Obviously I've never had to genuinely consider this as I'm lucky to have the gift of all of my senses and never would wish the loss of them on anybody, but my main reason for answering this question in such a way is down to music and the importance that it has in my life. Not a day goes by when I don't listen to music. When I'm driving, while getting ready, while writing, on my walk to work, and many more. It features in my day to day life quite significantly and this is for all kinds of reasons. Music gets me going. Upbeat tracks give me energy and put me in a happy mindset to begin each new day with. Whatever I might be driving to, whether it's a friends house or an important meeting, I will step out of that car having sang my heart out on the country roads and I will be feeling good about everything. It motivates me to write more, wr...

The phrase "life is too short" gets thrown about continuously, even meaninglessly sometimes, but recently I've noticed how much truth it contains. It might be more appropriate to say that all of these phrases are so cliche, but so very real too. It takes some people a lot longer than others to grasp these valuable tokens of wisdom and we are all always learning more about how to live and cope with life's dramas, but we all get closer through everything we experience and learn a lot from the people we encounter. There comes a time when you become better at distinguishing what matters and what doesn't. Who matters and who doesn't. What's worth wasting time worrying about and what doesn't need to be given the time of day. And there is a time when you realise how good you're getting at it, this weird and wonderful thing we call life. I know I'm still so young but I feel I've gained a better understanding recently, though I'm fully aware t...

Last week I attended my graduation ceremony at York Minster. I naturally tend to do this in everyday life because, after all, I am a writer but throughout the day I found myself thinking about how this could easily make for an entertaining blog post. I was writing the day in my head without actually writing it but I thought I'd share this with you. As backwards as it sounds, and very fitting to my character, I'd hit the booze far too hard the night before the event resulting in a very hungover me on the day. I awoke in my bed (thankfully) having no recollection as to how I got there, nor how I became so intoxicated, and after a shower to attempt to freshen up, we headed down to breakfast at the hotel. As always, the unlimited supply of continental and cooked choices made my eyes widen, but I forgot about how sick I was feeling when I was piling it onto my plate so when we returned to the room it didn't stay down for too long. Mum left at this point having had enough of ...

I've wanted to write this post for a while now, pretty much ever since I set out on my travels. Perhaps even before that while I was reflecting on my time at university because though I had the best time and created the fondest memories, it wasn't all sugar coated without any problems.  From Uni, I've taken the brilliant friends, the hilariously drunken nights out, the fun days exploring around the Yorkshire countryside, visits from people from home and all the other brilliant things we got up to. When I think of Uni I don't think about the essay stress, the constant pressure of doing more than just your degree, the scary moments when we didn't feel so safe, the days spent in bed feeling ill and the times I cried when it all got too much. From travels, I remember the hot sunny days, the beautiful scenes, times when all went to plan, the constant happy buzz filling me inside and the friendly people I met along the way. I swerve to think of the overnight trains...

If you're reading this post and are yet to see the film, stop reading immediately and watch it. I won't give too much away but A Dog's Purpose  is the perfect summary of the happiness and comfort that dogs bring to so many lives. We've only ever had one dog in my lifetime at home, we've always been 'cat people'. They say you're either one or the other but I completely disagree. I have loved all the pets we've ever had and love the one and a half cats that are still with us, dearly. I say one and a half which kind of has two meanings. Lily was the runt of the litter so her growth is somewhat stunted and Frankie only decides to live with us for six months of the year, prancing around our village like he owns the place for the rest. Which one is the half can be up to you. Of course I love them, however I do understand why some people prefer dogs. When I come home, if I'm in a bad mood and need cheering up, though Lil will snuggle on my lap (or loo...

I've just got in from a morning by the pool in Florida while my friend is at uni (college in translation) and I've been thinking about the notion of stress. Now, I know that I have a tendency to irrationally freak out a lot compared to so many people in my life who's chilled out ways are something that I aspire to, but I've actually come to the conclusion that we humans, we'll always find something to worry about. I guess you are now thinking how on earth I of all people has anything bothering me, living the dream and traveling the world, huh? Well, I'm not going to irritate everyone back home slogging away at work, but there certainly have been moments. These usually end in me laughing at my stupidity and looking at my surroundings, reminding myself of the amazing things I'm experiencing, but they've been there. Some are practical. I mean, mostly this is laughable. The practicalities of sunbathing - when to turn, when to go in the shade, have I reme...

I  thought about the idea of being alone a lot this morning as I sat in Heathrow terminal 3 waiting for my flight to America. Though I'm meeting friends along the way, much of my trip is 'alone'. I'm probably the biggest wimp going so I was wondering why I wasn't scared.  As I found myself smiling to myself (partly because I was eating pizza for breakfast and food generally makes me happy, but partly out of appreciation) I realised that actually I am never alone. I was continually receiving texts from friends and family sharing love and wishing me a fabulous trip which helps to get rid of any loneliness, but I soon realised that this isn't needed to know how far from alone I always am. I always have the wonderful memories, both recent and more distant, to think about and cherish. I'm surrounded by so many people and we share so much love for one another, so much that it doesn't need to be expressed. I'm both supported and a suppor...

This post is largely inspired by my recent visit to the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam, which as any of you who have been reading my Travel posts will know, really impressed me. Not only was the museum well set out, taking you on a journey through the story of the Jews in the Second World War and this particular family, but the quotes dotted around the place from Anne herself about her writing were also very stimulating. "The nicest part is being able to write down all my thoughts and feelings, otherwise I'd absolutely suffocate"- Anne Frank Writing, for Anne, was an escape from her horrific situation into a safer world of her thoughts and feelings. It was a saviour that today provides an insightful glimpse into her experience for the whole world to read. She left her imprint through her writing and, whether this is deemed right or wrong, this is the main thing that I took from my visit. Writing isn't for everyone, I get that. Not all people enjoy discussing th...

Do you know one of the best things about this world, and probably one of the cheesiest things to express, is its uniqueness. How no two individual people are the same and this is a really good thing. Can you imagine how boring the world would be if everybody was like you? Some people are so horizontal it's frustrating to a certain extent because you can feel like you'd have a better conversation with a brick wall, others are so frantic that it can stress you out. Some people are so upbeat and positive that their enthusiasm is exhausting and you think to yourself 'how can you get so excited about beans on toast', others are so negative it's draining. Some people are addicted to routine and cannot cope if this is disrupted, others love the spontaneous chaos of everyday life. Some like sports, some like fashion, some like cheese others can't handle the smell.  What I am trying to say is that throughout life you'll find more and more that nobody is perfect. ...

While getting ready for work the other morning, feeling calm and refreshed after my early morning dog walk in the sunshine and listening to Pachelbel's Canon (as you do, it calms me more), I had a thought. Because the version that I was listening to was heavily string based, it reminded me of my days learning the Violin. Oh the dread that filled me on a Wednesday morning knowing that it was the day of my half hour lesson. The first task was getting the damn thing to school on the bus. How embarrassing it was struggling down the thin aisle, bashing most people on my way to find the very first available seat. I didn't care who I sat with, even if they smelt, just wanted to get seated.  Then, arriving at school and chucking my violin in the store cupboard (I didn't care for it much), I'd check the time of my lesson and usually purposefully forget this five seconds later so I wouldn't go. I hated it.  The scary exams, learning all those scales, the screeching of m...

Anybody out there who currently lives or has ever lived in a village will know exactly what it is like. Especially those lucky villages that still have the whole package which includes a pub and a village shop that both act as the hub of the place and gossip central. This is my home life and working inside said village shop, I get a spectacular insight into this game of Chinese Whispers. If anything significant ever happens in this small insignificant habitat, it is hilarious how the stories can change and grow.  Throughout the day as various witnesses enter the shop, more and more information is given. Some of which is instantly dismissed as the source was perhaps unreliable or the information given is so ridiculous that it cannot possibly be true, but with what information we keep, a story starts to form.  This goes on throughout the day until the best storytellers around divulge this epic tale to the rest of us in the evening in the pub garden and we find th...

This gem of a statement was said by my little sister in a debate with my brother over the TV show, Love Island. Now, I know this may sound absurd but I never got into the show myself though I know many of you were totally addicted, my sister being one. 9 O'clock every night for the past 7 weeks she's urged silence in the house so she can see whether Olivia is still annoying or if Kem and Amber have split up yet. Sigh. However, I do completely understand where she is coming from when she said what she said (that, and I watched the final which was hilarious, especially the 'heartfelt' speeches!). Despite my brother claiming that they dumb your mind (and many of you may well agree with him), I find a guilty pleasure in TV shows just like this one - you know the type; Made in Chelsea, TOWIE etc. If ever on a rainy day I just want to chill out and feel good about my life I turn these shows on. There's something so refreshing in doing this. Sometimes I go right back to...

Ever find yourself having a conversation with work friends and immediately after your words have been uttered you think to yourself "why did I just say that?" Or a customer walks in and you find your mouth running away with itself and chatting about the most mundane things that even you think is painful to listen to? If the answer is yes, then here are a few things that I'm sure you will relate to, things we all converse about in a retail setting. The Weather What is it with British people and the weather? All you have to do is look out of the window to know exactly how hot it is or whether it's raining. You may have only just entered the shop so you've just experienced what the weather is doing at that very moment, yet people still insist on reporting this for you. They'll report that "it's raining outside", when you've just been stood in the downpour waiting for your bus. Thank you for that Jim, couldn't have figured for myself. ...

From a visit to the coast to an afternoon spent in the shed, everybody needs a happy place.  I've just returned from a night at the coast with a lovely friend and three of the happiest dogs that I've ever met, and I honestly didn't realise that it was possible to be in such a complete state of calmness. I'm not even exaggerating, I have definitely never been more relaxed.  From the moment we arrived I felt a massive weight lift off me, not that I'm having a rough time at all at the moment but I did feel totally de-stressed. In fact, it was hilarious how floppy I'd become (I mean, I couldn't face showering, I was that chilled) that I started to think up things that could potentially stress me out and it wasn't working one bit.  Something about being by the sea, face soaking up the air and all you can see is open space and the odd happy dog walker, brings me such joy and comfort. It makes me realise how small I am in such a huge world and how many...

Do you ever find yourself getting irrationally irritated for no reason? Maybe when you are walking down the street and people kindly shout "Hello" but they somehow seem to piss you off. Or someone in the queue in front of you takes forever to do something and you want to punch them in the face. Inappropriate, yes. A realistic thought, also yes. You may step back and think to yourself 'why am I getting so angry?'  If you're a girl it's usual to blame the ol' menstrual cycle - PMS. But, if someone (particularly males) blames it for you then they will be on the receiving end of your wrath, that's a certainty. After this response knowing that you now have a valid reason for your cross behavior, you feel OK until you realise that you're not due on for another two weeks so you cannot blame the 'time of the month' . So you just blame being a girl, which usually works and shuts the people up who are questioning whether you're OK due to your m...

The Windsor's - a hilariously inappropriate television series. It is a comedic and exaggerated representation of the younger generations  (I don't think they dared include HM The Queen)  of the Royal Family and one that I would highly recommend.  I was first told to watch the series by my Dad who,  after observing a discussion  between my sister and I about our futures,  strongly felt that  we were Beatrice and Eugenie, no question. On the show, these two represent every aspect of the typical 'living off daddy' type. The Verruca Salt to the Royal Family and quite frankly Daddy, they unreservedly do want another pony. Played by Ellie White and Celeste Dring, the two have constant wild and fluffy plans for their lives, coming out with questionable knowledge (dumb statements) and discovering that a full time job consists of more than three days a week for two hours each day. Oblivious to reality and having never worked a day in their lives, ...

If you've never experienced one then think yourself lucky, but last Sunday my sister made me attend the dreaded car boot sale. I was slightly cynical from the offset having had a bit of a late night and being somewhat hungover, but pleasant is certainly not the word that I'd use to describe this occasion.  As refreshing as getting up early on a bright Sunday morning is, setting up your stall among the pestering clientele asking for silver and golf clubs immediately isn't ideal. Just let us park before you nose around the boot of our car will you? Then, as you attempt to arrange your wonderful tat in an orderly fashion so one would consider buying it, more bargain hunters flock to rummage  through your not yet unpacked offerings. As much as you want them to leave you be while you set up, you think to yourself that the attraction is good and that it is a sign that you will have a successful day.  Next joke! As soon as you've set up and everything is looking ...